Scent of Time

Synopsis

The story follows Hua Qian (played by Zhou Ye), the daughter of a prominent herbal medicine family. Driven by an intense infatuation with Zhong Yelan (Peng Chu Yue), a man who does not reciprocate her feelings, Hua Qian makes a series of grave mistakes that ultimately lead to the downfall of her family. In a twist of fate, Hua Qian awakens to find herself back on the night of her wedding with Zhong Yelan, reliving the past.

Having experienced the devastating consequences of her previous actions, Hua Qian is determined to rectify her past errors. This time, she prioritizes her family and friends, choosing to support the burgeoning love between Zhong Yelan and Mu Yao (Zhao Qing) rather than pursuing her own unrequited desires. As she navigates this new path, past mysteries gradually come to light. She also begins to notice the quiet protection offered by Zhong Xiwu (Wang Xingyue) and the unwavering dedication of Hua Rongzhou (Zhang Yi Jie) to her safety. The series explores themes of redemption, self-discovery, and the true meaning of love and family.

Cast

Main

Zhou Ye as Hua Qian

Wang Xingyue as Zhong Xiwu

Peng Chu Yue as Zhong Yelan

Zhang Yi Jie as Hua Rongzhou

Zhao Qing as Mu Yao

Supporting

Xu Fan as Elder Princess

Chen Zihan as Su Wu Niang

Guo Dong Hai as Gao Yu

Hu Bo Wen as Chen Yuan

Sun Rui as Lin Jiang

Sun Ao as Nan Feng

Chen Hao Wen as Ji Dong

Luo Rui as Cui Zhu

Wang Ruo Xi as Ban Xia

Zhu Ya Ting as Yin Xing

Zhang Lei as Hua Wenang

Liu Min as Madame Hua

Xiang Xia as Hua Shen

Ai Mi as Qian Zhi

Qian Jie as Mother Li

Yin Yi Bo as Da Huang

Yang Fu Yu as Hua Man

Zhang Zi Lin as Yu Zhu

Zhang Fan as Mu Yunping

Hu Qian Qian as Ling Long

Production

The series was produced by Huanyu Film, with Yu Zheng serving as one of the primary producers. Filming took place from December 19, 2021, to March 11, 2022. The production design and costumes were noted for their adherence to traditional Chinese aesthetics, particularly in the representation of historical herbal medicine culture and attire. The series achieved significant popularity on the Youku platform, reaching a popularity index of over 10,000 within days of its premiere.

Aesthetics and Heritage

The visual style of Scent of Time is heavily influenced by traditional Chinese craftsmanship, specifically focusing on the aesthetics of the Hanfu movement and historical accessories. The series has sparked renewed interest in traditional items such as Ronghua velvet flowers and solid perfume balms, which were meticulously recreated for the production to reflect Ming Dynasty aesthetics.

Reception

Scent of Time received generally positive reviews for its fast-paced narrative and unique take on the "redemption" trope in historical dramas. The series gained significant international attention, maintaining high ratings on global entertainment databases such as IMDb. Critics praised the performances of the lead cast, particularly Zhou Ye and Wang Xingyue, for their nuanced portrayals. The series was also noted for its successful international distribution on platforms like HBO Max (branded as HBO Go in Southeast Asia).